50-Year-Old Murder Suspect Dies After Collapsing in Bayelsa Court

A 50-year-old murder suspect, Bethlehem Nwanlia, has died after reportedly collapsing shortly after appearing before the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa.

Nwanlia was standing trial alongside two other defendants over allegations of conspiracy, kidnapping and the murder of three people in Kalaba community, located in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The incident reportedly occurred at Court 11 on Tuesday, shortly after Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi adjourned proceedings in the case until October 27, 2026, when judgment was expected to be delivered.

According to reports, Nwanlia complained of chest pain while in the court’s holding area before suddenly collapsing.

Correctional officers, police personnel and lawyers at the court reportedly rushed to his aid and made efforts to revive him.

Medical personnel were subsequently contacted and Nwanlia was taken to a hospital for urgent medical attention.

Despite the efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

His remains were later deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

The Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Judiciary, Enoch Okunobo, confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased had been a regular attendee at the court in connection with the criminal case.

Okunobo said the man collapsed and died after attending court, adding that his body had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre.

Nwanlia and the two other defendants had been facing trial over the alleged killing of three people in Kalaba community in 2022.

The case had progressed to the stage where the court was expected to deliver judgment before the sudden death of the suspect.

However, the allegations against the defendants had not been finally determined by the court before Nwanlia’s death.

His death therefore occurred while the criminal proceedings were still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said he was not immediately aware of the incident when contacted.

He, however, promised to make inquiries and provide further information.

As of the time of filing the report, the police spokesman had not provided further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Nwanlia’s death.

The incident has drawn attention within the court community, as the suspect’s death occurred shortly after a court appearance in a serious criminal case involving allegations of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy.

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